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Finishing
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Greg,

I find the best clear finish, one which allows for easy touchup and repair later, is a shellac.  And it's 'natural' unlike the plastic look of a polyurethane.  (And polyurethane is harder to apply well.)

Tim Puro's presentation back in February confirmed that the Zinsser Seal Coat is an unwaxed, 2 lb. cut of shellac which gives a very clear finish without coloration.  I generally put 3 coats on projects and am amazed at how easy it is to apply and how good it looks in the end.

Here is the link to Rockler's site:


Hope this helps!

bob



On Fri, Mar 29, 2019 at 10:16 AM Greg Oskay (goskay25@att.net) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> wrote:
View/reply online       Reply to forum at AskaMember@ciww.org
I am in the process of creating a collage using tiles cut from at least 33 types of trees that grow on our farm.  There will be a cross section, quarter sawn and plain sawn tile from each species.  They will be various sizes but average about 3 in. x 3 in. 

Question:  What would be the best type of finish to preserve the wood yet not distort the natural color and texture of the wood?


--
Bob Sartoris
+1 317.750.7782
Water based acrylic  is best. Even  these can vary a little. Yellowest I have seen was from Minwax.  Best was Ace Hardware in 1995.  
Try General finises first.  Talk to Duke at Rockler Castleton. I do hav odds and end cans of a lot of their things.  You are welcome to dabble with them


From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> on behalf of Greg Oskay (goskay25@att.net) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 11:13:39 PM
To: Ask a Member
Subject: re: [Ask A Member] Finishing <<$22716047183$>>
 

Thanks for all of the advice.  I was at the program on shellac in February and afterward asked the instructor about this.  He said that even with super blonde I would still get some yellowing.

 

After reading a Fine Woodworking article online I was wavering between water based poly and a blend of oils. 

 

This collage was inspired by an artwork at the Eiteljorg that was made from pieces of driftwood.  It will eventually be hung in our cabin in Parke County.  If it comes out like I envision, I’ll bring it in for show and tell first.  It may be a while, I still have 16 trees to cut to get samples.

 

Thanks again,

 

Greg Oskay

Thanks for all of the advice.  I was at the program on shellac in February and afterward asked the instructor about this.  He said that even with super blonde I would still get some yellowing.

 

After reading a Fine Woodworking article online I was wavering between water based poly and a blend of oils. 

 

This collage was inspired by an artwork at the Eiteljorg that was made from pieces of driftwood.  It will eventually be hung in our cabin in Parke County.  If it comes out like I envision, I’ll bring it in for show and tell first.  It may be a while, I still have 16 trees to cut to get samples.

 

Thanks again,

 

Greg Oskay

Sorry can't remember the instructor's  name  but there is a member of CIWW that puts on a class all about shellac.  It is very informative and he gives examples of different shellac looks.



Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.


-------- Original message --------
From: "Richard D Summe (rsumme1@gmail.com)" <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com>
Date: 3/29/19 1:34 PM (GMT-07:00)
To: Ask a Member <AskaMember@ciww.org>
Subject: re: [Ask A Member] Finishing <<$227141136033$>>

If you don’t want any ambering but wish to use shellac, you might use “blonde” or even “super blonde. “  However it has little durability. It will need to be overcoated if the tiles will be walked on. 
Dick Summe
Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 29, 2019, at 10:52 AM, Paul L Roquet (proquet@live.com) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> wrote:

If the wood is dry, I recommend clear shellac cut with denatured alcohol. 3 parts shellac to 1 part denatured alcohol.
Test a piece first. Multiple coats may be needed.
Hope this helps.
Paul Roquet
(520)335-4516
I live on Southside of Indianapoilis not Arizona.


From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> on behalf of Greg Oskay (goskay25@att.net) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 10:15:48 AM
To: Ask a Member
Subject: [Ask A Member] Finishing <<$227112262277$>>
 
I am in the process of creating a collage using tiles cut from at least 33 types of trees that grow on our farm.  There will be a cross section, quarter sawn and plain sawn tile from each species.  They will be various sizes but average about 3 in. x 3 in. 

Question:  What would be the best type of finish to preserve the wood yet not distort the natural color and texture of the wood?
If you don’t want any ambering but wish to use shellac, you might use “blonde” or even “super blonde. “  However it has little durability. It will need to be overcoated if the tiles will be walked on. 
Dick Summe
Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 29, 2019, at 10:52 AM, Paul L Roquet (proquet@live.com) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> wrote:

If the wood is dry, I recommend clear shellac cut with denatured alcohol. 3 parts shellac to 1 part denatured alcohol.
Test a piece first. Multiple coats may be needed.
Hope this helps.
Paul Roquet
(520)335-4516
I live on Southside of Indianapoilis not Arizona.


From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> on behalf of Greg Oskay (goskay25@att.net) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 10:15:48 AM
To: Ask a Member
Subject: [Ask A Member] Finishing <<$227112262277$>>
 
I am in the process of creating a collage using tiles cut from at least 33 types of trees that grow on our farm.  There will be a cross section, quarter sawn and plain sawn tile from each species.  They will be various sizes but average about 3 in. x 3 in. 

Question:  What would be the best type of finish to preserve the wood yet not distort the natural color and texture of the wood?
If you do not want the color to darken I would recommend a water based clear poly finish, one marketed as water clear.
Pat



Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: "Greg Oskay (goskay25@att.net)" <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com>
Date: 3/29/19 10:15 AM (GMT-05:00)
To:
Subject: [Ask A Member] Finishing <<$227112262277$>>

I am in the process of creating a collage using tiles cut from at least 33 types of trees that grow on our farm.  There will be a cross section, quarter sawn and plain sawn tile from each species.  They will be various sizes but average about 3 in. x 3 in. 

Question:  What would be the best type of finish to preserve the wood yet not distort the natural color and texture of the wood?
If the wood is dry, I recommend clear shellac cut with denatured alcohol. 3 parts shellac to 1 part denatured alcohol.
Test a piece first. Multiple coats may be needed.
Hope this helps.
Paul Roquet
(520)335-4516
I live on Southside of Indianapoilis not Arizona.


From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> on behalf of Greg Oskay (goskay25@att.net) <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 10:15:48 AM
To: Ask a Member
Subject: [Ask A Member] Finishing <<$227112262277$>>
 
I am in the process of creating a collage using tiles cut from at least 33 types of trees that grow on our farm.  There will be a cross section, quarter sawn and plain sawn tile from each species.  They will be various sizes but average about 3 in. x 3 in. 

Question:  What would be the best type of finish to preserve the wood yet not distort the natural color and texture of the wood?
I am in the process of creating a collage using tiles cut from at least 33 types of trees that grow on our farm.  There will be a cross section, quarter sawn and plain sawn tile from each species.  They will be various sizes but average about 3 in. x 3 in. 

Question:  What would be the best type of finish to preserve the wood yet not distort the natural color and texture of the wood?
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Rockler Woodworking
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MacAllister Machinery
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